The document outlines different types of business organizations including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, cooperatives, and non-profit organizations. It describes key characteristics of each type such as ownership structure, funding sources, legal registration requirements, tax treatment, and advantages and disadvantages. Corporations require heavy capital investment, have limited liability, and can easily transfer ownership through share trading on public markets. Cooperatives are democratically controlled enterprises where members pool resources for mutual benefit. Non-profits focus on improving lives rather than profit and rely on donations, grants, and other fundraising.

1. TYPES OF BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS
SOLE PROPIETORSHIPS (SOLE TRADERS)
PARTNERSHIPS (GENERAL , LIMITED)
CORPORATIONS (REGISTERED, STATUTORY)
CO-OPERATIVES
NON-PROFIT & NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
TO DESCRIBE A BUSINESS, FOCUS ON
 Its ownership & management structure
 Its raison d’être (purpose of existence)
 Its source of funding
 Its tax jurisdiction/requirements
 Its formation (legal) requirements
 Its risk factor
TO FORM AN OPINION, FOCUS ON
 Start-up process
 Decision-making process
 Ability to raise capital/investment
 Management structure & size
 Profit sharing (and other accounting ratios)
 Relationship with employees
 Relationship with clients/customers
 Liability & legal status
 Continuity/transfer of ownership

2. SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
A separate and distinct organisation (business) with a single owner.
Generally a small retail operation; or an individual professional service
(eg dentist).
 Funded through owner’s efforts
 Profits treated as personal income (no tax)
 No specific legal regulations to start up
Advantage
 Except for specific licences or certificates (eg liquor) one can start up the
business at anytime with legal hindrances.
 It is recommended, however, that the business be registered (at minimal)
with the business registry.
 Owner generally plays an active role in the management (often the only
manager)
 Profits remain under the owner’s control
 Decisions can be put into effect at once without the necessity to consult
 The small size allows owner to be intimately involve with every aspect of
the operation.
 The small size encourages a more personal relationship with employees
Disadvantage
 Unlimited liability (claim on owner’s personal assets)
 Difficulty in raising ownership capital
 Lacks continuity (terminates with the owner)
 Difficult to transfer ownership
 Often impacted by owner’s absence

3. PARTNERSHIPS
 An incorporated association (business) with two or more co-owners.
 Has 2 to 20 persons; at least one must be a general partner
 Typically a small retail operation (e.g family store); or provision of
professional service (eg, dentists, lawyers).
 Funded through the pooling of their resources and skills
 Profits are shared; and are subjected to personal income tax
 No specific legal regulations to start up; but are guided by the Partnership
Act of 1890 (amended in 1907*).
Advantage
 Except for specific licences or certificates (eg liquor) start up no legal
hindrances.
 It is recommended, however, that the business be registered (at minimal)
with the business registry; and partners sign a formal agreement*
 At least one owner must play an active role in the management
 Decisions are more consultative and reduces impulsive action
 The small size encourages a more personal relationship with employees
 The number of partners lend to greater specialisation and work
distribution
Disadvantage
 Unlimited liability (claim on owners’ personal assets)
 Difficulty in raising ownership capital as fewer people are interested in
partnerships
 Lacks continuity (terminates with any change of owner)
 Difficult to transfer ownership (Agreement)
 Often impacted by poor decisions of any partner (Agency)
Other comments
 General partners – has the right to manage the business (except forbidden
by partnership agreement); and assume unlimited liability for the debts of
the partnership.
 Limited partners – invest capital in the business but have no active role in
its management. [also known as a sleeping partner].
 Agency theory – implies that each partner acts as an agent of the
partnership; and can thus bind the partners into a contract when acting
within the scope of the business.
 Transfer of interest – a partner is free to dispose of his/her interest in the
partnership in any legal way; but the current partners must approve of the
incoming party in order for them to participate in the business.

4. CORPORATIONS (limited companies)
 A group of persons associated together to form a legal entity* to undertake
some form of business activity.
 These are generally large businesses requiring heavy investment of capital
(e.g a commercial bank)
 The capital required is divided into shares* and sold to interested
individuals in variant amounts.
 The profits are divided in proportion to the amount and type of shares
held by each shareholder*.
 The entity is required to pay corporation tax*; while shareholders pay
income tax
 Subject to stringent legal rules and regulations in order to safeguard
shareholder interest
 Must be registered with the Registrar of Companies or similar body
 Becomes an entity recognised as an individual under the law
 Owners elect a directorate (board) to ensure the investments are
protected. They report to the others at the AGM*
 Decision making is left up to managers and other hired professionals.
 Employs high degree of specialisation of skills and management
 Owners are generally estranged from both employees and employers.
Advantage
 Limited liability (claim on company assets only)
 Easier to raise ownership capital especially if business is doing well
 Has continuity as shareholders can transfer ownership interest
 Ownership (shares) can be easily transferred on the market at anytime.
Disadvantage
 Impacted by double taxation; and government regulations
 Expansion in size leads to greater complexity and bureaucracy
Other comments
 Public companies – can have as many owners (shareholders) as possible;
the shares are bought and sold in a public securities market or stock
exchange.
 Private companies – the number of owners are restricted [1 – 50]; the
shares cannot be bought or sold in a public securities market or stock
exchange.
 Statutory companies – are owned by the government (state) as established
by act of Parliament.

5. CO-OPERATIVES
 An association of persons with common interest and goals to form a
democratically controlled enterprise.
 It is self-governed (autonomous) – directors are chosen to manage its
affairs
 Capital invested by members form the capital pool (base) of the
organization
 Each member has his/her separate businesses; but pool funds to enjoy
economies of scale (cheap inputs, advertising, etc)
 Economic returns (profit?) are mutually distributed
Advantage
 Voluntary, non-discriminatory, and open membership policies
 Democratic control; one vote per member (regardless of contribution to
the pool)
 Limited interest on capital invested*
 All surplus (less reserved deductions*) generated from operations belong
to the members
 Act of continuous education and training to help improve the contribution
of members
 Cooperating with other cooperatives to foster harmony and greater
economies of scale
Disadvantage
 Shares are not transferable
 Capital invested can be returned if person ceases to be a member
 New tax laws have impact this entity
 Limited liability of the cooperative itself
 Focus is not profit making but cost reduction and creation of investment
opportunities.

6. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs) &
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (NPOs)
 A large group of organisations that have been established as non-profit
making entities. Its main focus is to work with people to achieve long-term
improvements in the quality of their lives*.
 It can be a church, a youth group, a political party, a research institute, a
professional association, a social club, a sports club, or a charity.
 Some NGOs have been created* by Acts of Parliament
 It can be incorporated* or unincorporated*
 Its management and operations are independent of government control
 It is managed by a of Board of Directors (elected to office for a specific
period of time)
 It is a legal entity when it has been incorporated
 It has no (share) capital and is thus funded via restricted* and
unrestricted* means.
 All of its funding must be declared and an account (preferably audited)
given for the disbursement of said funds.
NGOs operate on funds provided by donors who do not benefit directly from the
organisations’ programmes. Sources of funding* include -:
 Donations
 Sponsors (special business events)
 legacies & bequests
 Fund-raising events (cake sales, fairs)
 Free rent & volunteerism
 Membership subscriptions
 Sales of publications or artifacts
 Government grants & subventions